Kodiak

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The city of Kodiak sits on Kodiak Island, which at 3,670 square miles and more than 100 miles long is Alaska's largest island and the second-largest island in the United States. Known as the Emerald Isle, Kodiak’s verdant landscape and abundant outdoor opportunities make it a popular choice for nature enthusiasts.

About Kodiak

The pulse of Kodiak beats along the waterfront and in its boat harbors: Alaska Marine Highway ferries dock right downtown, next to the Kodiak Island Visitor Center. Nearby is St. Paul Boat Harbor, the city’s largest. More boats dock across the channel at St. Herman Harbor on Near Island, and an afternoon on the docks can lead to friendly encounters with fishermen and the chance to see them unload their catch or repairing their nets.

Once a struggling fishing port, World War II turned the island of Kodiak into a major staging area for North Pacific operations. At one point Kodiak's population topped 25,000, with Fort Abercrombie built as a defense post to protect the naval base that was constructed in 1939. Today the old naval base is the site of the largest Coast Guard base in the country.

Kodiak’s famed cloudy weather spared it from a Japanese attack during WWII but the city wasn’t so lucky during the Good Friday Earthquake of 1964, which leveled its downtown area and wiped out its fishing fleet. Today Kodiak is among the top three fishing ports in the country and home to 650 boats, including the state's largest trawl, long-line and crab vessels, and 12 shore-based processors.

Things to do

More than 100 miles of paved and gravel roads head from the city into the wilderness that surrounds Kodiak. Some of the roads are rough jeep tracks, manageable only by four-wheel drive vehicles, but many can be driven to isolated stretches of beach, great fishing spots, outstanding coastal scenery and secluded campgrounds.

The island’s best-known park is the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. The 2,812-square-mile refuge encompasses two-thirds of Kodiak Island and includes a diverse habitat that ranges from rugged mountains and alpine meadows to wetlands, spruce forest and grassland. The refuge has outstanding fishing but the most popular activity is bear viewing. The refuge is home to 3,500 bears with males that normally weigh in at more than 800 pounds but have been known to exceed 1,500 pounds and stand more than 10 feet tall. The refuge has no roads, so bear viewing is done as a day tour with an air charter operator or as an excursion from one of many remote wilderness lodges on the island.

Kodiak is a renowned fishing destination that offers access to all five species of salmon along with halibut, rockfish, cod and trout.

Fort Abercrombie State Historical Park is a popular spot for learning more about the island’s World War II history. The fort was built during the war, and along with a campground features the Kodiak Military History Museum, located inside the Ready Ammo bunker. The historic ruins of the WWII coastal defense installation couples with the steep surf-pounded cliffs, deep spruce forests, wildflower-laden meadows and a lake containing trout.

History

Native Alutiiq people have inhabited the Kodiak area for more than 7,000 years. In the mid 1700s, the island was discovered by a Russian explorer, ushering in the island’s Russian period. Kodiak was the first capital of Russian-controlled Alaska, and was an important location in the lucrative fur trade. A former storehouse of fur pelts owned by the Russian American Company in downtown Kodiak now houses the Baranov Museum, which is a great place to learn more about the area’s history. The building, constructed in 1808, is the oldest standing building in the state of Alaska.

Kodiak

The city of Kodiak is located near the northeastern tip of Kodiak Island in the Gulf of Alaska, 252 miles southwest of Anchorage. Access to Kodiak Island is by scheduled jet service, air taxi and charter service and Alaska Marine Highway ferries from Homer and Whittier.

Adventure Kodiak offers 7 day, private fly fishing charters. Cast out to catch the salmon as the runs return home to spawn, as well as try a hand at some saltwater fishing for catching halibut, rock fish, and even cod. Maximum of 4 guests per trip. Visit our website for more information on our fishing charters and send us your inquiry today.

Have an experience like none other with Adventure Kodiak. We take you to the bears in their natural environment to get up close to observe these amazing creatures at their finest. Our guided small group cruises take you to the land of the brown bears to go on shore and take beautiful photographs that will capture the memories to last for a lifetime. Maximum of 4 guests per trip.

Take the opportunity to get up close to some of the many bird species that call Alaska a home. You will be able to see hundreds of birds each day you are out on the MV Single Star, including different types of gulls and puffins. There are also opportunities to view the rookeries along the cliff sides of islands around Kodiak to take breath taking photographs to get all the details of the birds. Maximum 4 guests per trip. Visit our website for a list of the bird species that can be viewed during your trip with Adventure Kodiak.

Experience Kodiak! Join us on a spectacular 4 hour or all day bear view. Try an all day fishing float trip or a scenic flight see. Let Andrew Airways design a trip from a bear view to a do it yourself cabin or full service lodge. How about charter fishing, ATV adventures, hotel or B&B assistance. Let us create a true Kodiak adventure!

The Ayakulik River is one of the best rivers to fly fish for king, silver, sockeye and pink salmon - steelhead and dolly varden trout. From the novice to expert, our professional guides will help all learn new skills to thoroughly enjoy your Alaskan fishing experience. Ayakulik Adventures lodge is located on the southwest coastline of Kodiak Island on over 500 acres of private property beginning at the mouth of the Ayakulik River and surrounded by the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge. Complete isolation and seclusion to fully enjoy an Alaskan vacation. Once at the facilities, access to fishing is made by walking up and down the river. Many fishing holes are next to the lodge, accommodating to all hiking levels. Email: ayakulikadventures@yahoo.com

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Preserving the 7500-year heritage of Kodiak's indigenous Alutiiq people is the Alutiiq Museum & Archaeological Repository. The exhibits display one of the largest collections of Alutiiq artifacts in the state, ranging from a kayaker in his waterproof parka of seal gut to a 19th-century spruce-root hat and the corner of a sod house. A museum store features unique jewelry, art and books on Native History. Watch for special events, classes, publications and lectures.

Baranov Museum +

Baranov Museum preserves Kodiak's rich history, beginning with the Alutiiq culture and the Russian colonial period to the early American era, World War II and today's fishing industry. The Baranov Museum is located within Kodiak's 200-year-old National Historic Landmark building known as the Russian American Magazin, or the Erskine House. A museum store offers a broad selection of Russian arts and crafts.

Bear Viewing +

Watching giant Kodiak bears, some tipping the scales at more than 1,000 pounds, is one of the most popular activities on Kodiak Island. The best time to see a brown bear is during July, August and September when the salmon runs are at their best. Most visitors fly in to view the bears feasting on salmon at streams and lakes with a half-day trip through a local air taxis. Some boat charters and kayak outfitters also specialize in bear and wildlife viewing.

Canonization of St Herman +

In the second week of August, hundreds participate in an annual boat pilgrimage from Kodiak to Spruce Island where at Monk's Lagoon they celebrate the life of St. Herman, who spent his later years there and eventually became the first canonized Orthodox saint in North America.

Holy Resurrection Church +

Holy Resurrection Church is home to the oldest Russian Orthodox parish in the New World. Built in 1945, the current church and its beautiful blue onion domes is one of the most distinctive structures in Kodiak. Free tours of the church are occasionally offered while its gift shop is stocked with matreshkas, religious books and icons.

Kayaking +

With its many bays and protected inlets, scenic coastline and offshore rookeries, Kodiak is a kayaker's dream. A number of local outfitters offer fully equipped and guided tours that last an afternoon to several days. Some even specializes in whale watching from kayaks.

Kodiak Crab Festival +

The Kodiak Crab Festival is the island's best event. First held in 1958 to celebrate the end of crabbing season, the weeklong festival in late May features parades, a blessing of the fleet, foot and kayak races, fishing-skills contests such as a survival-suit race, and, needless to say, a lot of cooked king crab.

Kodiak Fisheries Research Center +

Opened in 1998 on Near Island, Kodiak Fisheries Research Center is used by various agencies to conduct fisheries research. Visitors love the lobby, however, that features displays, touch tanks and a large aquarium.

Kodiak Maritime Museum +

The pulse of Kodiak can be found in St Paul Boat Harbor, located right downtown and the larger of the two in the city. Lining the sidewalks of the harbor is Kodiak Maritime Museum, a "museum without walls This unique museum features a series of interesting maritime displays overlooking above the docks. Displays give visitors a better understanding of the state's commercial fishing industry and the abundant marine resources. A Waterfront Guide is available at the Visitor Information Center.

Kodiak Military History Museum +

Located in the Ready Ammunition Bunker at Fort Abercrombie State Park, the Kodiak Military History Museum focuses on the military build-up of the island during World War II. The Ready Ammunition Bunker served the two 8-inch Mark VI coastal battery guns at Miller Point that were installed for a possible Japanese air attack that never came.

Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center +

This visitor center is located downtown and focuses on the Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge's most famous resident; the giant Kodiak bear. It features an exhibit room that's well suited for children, a short film on the bears and a bookstore.

Kodiak Rodeo and State Fair +

Big vegetables and wild bulls take center stage on Labor Day weekend at the Bell Flats rodeo grounds.

Mountain Biking +

Kodiak's gravel roads are made for mountain bikers. The most interesting to ride on the island is the 12-mile Anton Larsen Bay Road. The road departs from near Buskin River Campground and heads northwest to cross a mountain pass and end at Anton Larsen Bay on the island's west side, where you will find quiet coves and shorelines to explore. Shops in Kodiak can provide trail maps and rent bikes.

Pillar Mountain +

From the top of this 1270-foot mountain there are excellent views of the city, surrounding mountains, ocean, beaches and islands. One side seems to plunge directly down to the harbor below, and the other overlooks the green interior of Kodiak Island. It's a bumpy dirt road to the top but the ride up is well worth it.

St Herman Harbor +

Kodiak's smaller of its two harbors, St. Herman Harbor is on Near Island and is not only a excellent place to meet fishermen but a great place to look for sea lions, which often use the Dog Bay Breakwall as a haul-out. Perched on trees surrounding the harbor are often a handful of eagles.

Whale Fest Kodiak +

This 10-day festival in April celebrates the return of Eastern Pacific gray whales to Alaskan waters. Kodiak is one of the best locations to see the thousands of gray whales along their migration route from Mexico to their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea. Festival activities ranging from lectures, music, art, and environmental forums to boat tours designed to view pods of gray whales.

Whale Watching +

Kodiak rivals any other place in Alaska for viewing the world's largest mammals. Whale migration to northern waters begins in April with the gray whales passing through and continues in June when whale watchers spot fin, minke, humpback and sei with fins and humpbacks commonly encountered through November. Local charter boats are available for whale watching and other marine wildlife tours. You can also spot whales from many cliff sides or beaches on Kodiak Island including Miller Point at Ft. Abercrombie State Park while Surfer Beach and Fossil Beach in Pasagshak are also good whale spotting sites.